Karlovasi, Samos: port, old town and where to stay

Karlovasi is the island's second town and its other main ferry port. It is quieter, more local and noticeably less set up for tourism than the east-coast bases, which is precisely why some travellers prefer it. It works as a base for the north-west: Potami Waterfalls, the mountain villages and the west-coast beaches are all within reach, and prices tend to be lower than in Kokkari.

What is there to see in Karlovasi?

1. 1The old town and waterfront: a lived-in Greek town with a working harbour rather than a resort strip. Go for a wander and a long lunch.
2. 2Potami Waterfalls: a short drive away: the obvious half-day trip from here.
3. 3Beaches of the north-west: quieter stretches of coast to either side, generally less crowded than the east.
4. 4Local wine: an organic winery near town offers small-group tastings, an easy add-on to a west-coast day.
5. 5Samos wine: Local wine is part of a stay in Karlovasi. Our guide explains the island's wine and its famous Muscat.
6. 6Trails of the north-west: From Karlovasi, several of the island's walking routes are within reach.
7. 7Five quarters, one town: Karlovasi is made up of Paleo, Neo and Meseo Karlovasi, plus Ormos, the bay, and Limani, the port. The first three merged into a single municipality only in 1950.
8. 8The north-west port: Karlovasi handles the Ikaria and Fourni routes and some Piraeus sailings. The shortest advertised crossing from Piraeus is 7 h 35, with 3 to 7 sailings a week, all year.
9. 9Inland from Karlovasi: Potami is about 5 km away on a side road, and its waterfall a 20-minute walk from the village. Platanos, 12 km away at 530 m, is known for a 17th-century fountain and its wine.

Who is Karlovasi for?

Karlovasi suits travellers who prefer everyday Samian life to a resort strip and don't need much tourist infrastructure. It is noticeably less set up for tourism than the east-coast bases, which is exactly the point for some visitors. As a base, it makes most sense if you plan to spend your days in the north-west: waterfalls, mountain villages and beaches.

Karlovasi to Marathokampos is 25 km, about 45 minutes, on a mountain road where real speeds fall to 25–40 km/h against a legal limit of 60 km/h. One published road guide describes it as the most demanding drive on the island, with single-lane stretches and gravel in the hairpins. The detour along the south coast adds about 25 minutes. Eastwards, the EO 62 coastal road links Karlovasi with Kokkari and Samos Town, about 30–32 km away. It is the best-maintained artery on the island, with a legal limit of 90 km/h and real speeds of 50–70 km/h.

Karlovasi is the second town of Samos and the commercial centre of the west of the island, on the fertile plain of the same name. It had 7,363 inhabitants at the 2021 census and is the seat of the municipality of West Samos, which also covers Marathokampos. It hosts a branch of the University of the Aegean, with the departments of mathematics and statistics. Inland, the mountain villages sit on the slopes of the Ampelos: Manolates is 13 km away and Vourliotes 20 km.

Where is the beach near Karlovasi?

The beach people mean when they say "Karlovasi's beach" is Potami, about 5 km from the centre along the coast road. It is where the road ends and the waterfall trail begins, and it has a café and a seafront restaurant. In 2026 it is one of three Samos beaches awarded the Blue Flag, with Glykoriza and Doryssa/Potokaki, which makes it the obvious swim stop after the gorge walk.

The sea here can be livelier than on the sheltered east coast, so look at the water before you leave a bag on the sand. Beyond Potami, a marked path of about 3.8 km leads west to the wild beaches of Mikro and Megalo Seitani, which have no facilities: bring water, food and good shoes. For a longer comparison of the island's beaches, see the best beaches on Samos, and for the trail itself read the Potami Waterfalls guide.

Which ferries leave from Karlovasi?

Karlovasi is the island's second ferry port after Vathy. It handles the Ikaria and Fourni routes and some Piraeus sailings. The shortest advertised crossing from Piraeus is 7 h 35 with 3 to 7 sailings a week, according to the sources behind our getting there guide.

For Chios, the fastest departure listed by the ferry comparison site Ferryscanner leaves from Karlovasi and takes about 2 h 25, against roughly 3 h from Samos overall; Blue Star Ferries runs 2 to 3 services a week (Ferryscanner, checked 2026-10-04). Fares and days change with the season and with the wind, so confirm with the operator before you plan around a specific sailing. Check which port your ticket names: Vathy and Karlovasi are about 30 km apart by road.

How do you get from the airport to Karlovasi?

Samos airport (SMI) is on the south-east coast, so Karlovasi is the far end of the island from where you land. A taxi to Karlovasi or Votsalakia takes about an hour and costs roughly 45 to 56 euros (Welcome Pickups, checked 2026-09-29). The airport bus runs to Vathy and Pythagoreio, not to Karlovasi, so without a taxi you change in Vathy; ask at the KTEL desk for the current timetable.

If you want to explore the north-west, collect a rental car at the airport: the coast road from Vathy via Kokkari is the best-maintained on the island. Read the airport guide for transfer options and the car rental comparison before you book.

Is there a bus from Karlovasi to Vathy?

Karlovasi (also spelled Karlovassi on some maps and timetables) is on the island's KTEL bus network, which has few departures, so ask at the KTEL desk for the current Karlovasi to Vathy timetable before you plan around it. Island bus fares run about 2 to 4 euros depending on the distance, with a few departures a day from Monday to Saturday and fewer on Sundays.

If you will ride the bus several times in a day, a 24-hour pass for all lines costs 9 euros (age 13 and over) or 7 euros (ages 6 to 12), and is free for children up to 6 (in-samos.com, checked 2026-09-29). With a rental car the north-west is far easier: see the car rental comparison.

Where should you stay in Karlovasi?

Karlovasi is less geared to tourism than Kokkari or Pythagoreio, and its guest rooms and apartments are aimed at people who want a base rather than a resort. The trade-off is simple: you get a working town with year-round tavernas, a harbour and lower prices, and you give up the beach on your doorstep. Potami and the north-west coves are a short drive, not a walk.

Prices on our partner links are live and change by date, so we do not quote a nightly rate; for dated prices of ferries, taxis and meals, see what things cost in Samos. Compare the bases side by side on where to stay on Samos, or see the old towns compared if you are weighing Karlovasi against Vathy.

How long should you spend in Karlovasi?

Most visitors give Karlovasi half a day on the way to Potami or Manolates, or a night when a ferry leaves early. Three nights is enough to cover the waterfalls, the mountain villages of Manolates and Ambelos and a day on Mount Kerkis. If you plan to see the east of the island too, split the stay: a few nights in the north-west, then move to the east coast. Karlovasi, on the north-west coast of Samos, is the quieter half of that pairing.

For the short crossing to Turkey, see Samos and the Turkish coast; that route sails from other ports than Karlovasi.

How far is Karlovasi from the main places?

Karlovasi is a good base only if the distances suit you, so here they are. Potami is about 5 km away, and its waterfall is a 20-minute walk from the village. Platanos is 12 km away at 530 m, known for a 17th-century fountain and its wine. Manolates is 13 km away and Vourliotes 20 km, both on the slopes of the Ampelos.

Eastwards, the EO 62 coastal road links Karlovasi with Kokkari and Samos Town, about 30 to 32 km away, with real speeds of 50 to 70 km/h. Southwards, Marathokampos is 25 km and about 45 minutes on a mountain road, so plan extra time for the west coast. The airport is on the opposite side of the island, roughly an hour by taxi.

Is Karlovasi right for you?

Karlovasi suits you if you want a real town rather than a resort strip, if you plan to spend your days in the north-west, and if you are comfortable driving mountain roads. It is a sensible choice for a second base after a few nights on the east coast, or for a short stay before an early ferry.

It suits you less if you want a beach outside your door, a long evening promenade of tourist bars, or the shortest transfer from the airport. In that case look at Pythagoreio or Kokkari first, and keep Karlovasi for the day trips and the waterfalls.

Tours from Karlovasi

Karlovasi is the meeting point for the winery tasting, and the west-coast bus tour covers Karlovasi, Manolates and the Kerkis foothills.

Full-day tourfrom US$69

8 hours Coastal hotels (pickup available) 4.9 (8)

Samos: Full-Day Island Bus Tour (Starting from West Samos)

• Focuses on the quieter west coast: Karlovasi, Manolates, Mount Kerkis foothills
• A guided loop with hotel pickup included

Best for: First-timers who want the west coast highlights in one organised day

See prices & availability

Wine tastingfrom US$22

1 hour Karlovasi (small group) 4.7 (12)

Samos: Wine Tasting at Kostaki Organic Winery

• Organic winery near Karlovasi, on the quieter north coast
• Small-group tasting, easy to combine with a west-coast day

Best for: Wine lovers already exploring the Karlovasi / west coast area

See prices & availability

Frequently asked questions

Practical details (opening times, prices) change. Verify before you go. Last updated September 2026.